Branding can feel like a bit of a mystery, right? Fonts, colours, images, vibes… it’s a lot. But here’s the thing: you don’t need a design degree or a giant marketing budget to build a brand that looks and feels just right. You just need a mood board—and a little help from your friends at SkillsLab.
Let’s break it down into a simple, fun process that’ll have your brand looking polished and purposeful in no time.
What Is a Mood Board, Anyway?
Think of it like a visual vision board for your brand. It’s a curated collection of images, colours, fonts, textures, and even words that capture the overall look and feel you want your brand to evoke.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or rebranding your side hustle, a mood board helps you (and anyone you work with) stay creatively aligned. No more random colour palettes or mismatched Instagram posts!
Step 1: Start With a Vibe
Close your eyes and think about your brand personality. Is it bold and energetic? Soft and calming? Modern and minimalist? Choose 3–5 words to describe the feeling you want your brand to give people.
Words like:
✨ Sophisticated
Playful
Professional
Natural
Bold
Write them down—they’ll guide every design choice from here on out.
Step 2: Gather Inspiration (Pinterest = Goldmine)
Now it’s time to fall down the Pinterest rabbit hole (it’s research, we promise). Search for colours, patterns, fonts, and lifestyle imagery that fit your vibe words. Save anything that sparks joy or says this is my brand.
You can also explore Instagram, Canva, or even packaging from your favourite brands.
Pro tip: Don’t just pick pretty things—make sure they align with your audience too. (Sorry, pastel pink might not cut it if you’re marketing power tools.)
Step 3: Choose Your Brand Colours and Fonts
Once you’ve collected your visual inspo, identify a few recurring colours and typefaces. Aim for:
- 1-2 primary colours
- 2-3 secondary/support colours
- 1 heading font + 1 body font
Need help pairing fonts and choosing a cohesive palette? Our branding templates can help you shortcut the process (and avoid the dreaded font overwhelm).
Step 4: Put It All Together
Use Canva, Google Slides, or one of our premade mood board templates to lay everything out. Arrange your images, colour swatches, and font pairings in a clean, simple layout that screams you.
Once it’s done—save it, print it, stick it on your wall. Refer to it every time you design a post, pick a template, or create new content. It’s your creative compass.
Final Thought: A Mood Board Isn’t Just Pretty—It’s Powerful
Creating a mood board isn’t fluff—it’s focus. It keeps your brand consistent, recognisable, and intentional across every touchpoint.
And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. SkillsLab has the tools, templates, and creative confidence boosts you need to bring your brand vision to life.